Prague- [.ceskenoviny.cz]- The Czech Health Ministry warns that syphilis, a serious venereal disease, has been spreading in the Czech Republic, referring to the data from the National Health Institute’s referential laboratory, chief health inspector Michael Vit told CTK today.

In July, the laboratory registered 334 cases of people infected with syphilis which was 59 more than during the same period last year. Nevertheless, the real situation is probably much worse, Vit said.

A total of 23 new cases alone have appeared among porn actors on whom health inspectors focused in August. Most infected porn actors come from Prague and Central Bohemia, Vit added.

“The source of infection has not yet been identified, but it cannot be ruled out it comes from abroad,” Vit said.

Robert Rosenberg, a porn film producer, has informed the Czech authorities about the syphilis spread among porn actors.

He said the epidemic erupted due to “false negative tests” on venereal diseases that some actors had submitted during a competition for new porn films.

According to statistics, the most risky group are people aged 25-34 years.

Last year, a total of 511 new cases of syphilis were reported in the Czech Republic. In 99 percent of cases the infection was transmitted via a heterosexual or homosexual intercourse.

If syphilis symptoms are not treated, the disease can lead to serious effects and cause dementia and death in the end.